Watson calls stumps on professional cricket in Australia

By Scott Bailey

Former Test allrounder Shane Watson has brought down the curtain on his professional cricket career in Australia.

Watson confirmed on Friday that he would not play in next summer’s Big Bash League season, ending a four-year stint with the Sydney Thunder.

The one-time Australian Test captain will continue to play limited overseas tournaments but will only play grade cricket in Sydney for Sutherland next summer in order to spend more time with his family.

Powerful force: Shane Watson hits out for the Thunder.Credit:AAP

‘‘I have so many amazing memories that I will savour forever, with the one standout being our win in 2016,’’ Watson said.

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Watson played 307 games for Australia across all formats, scoring more than 10,000 runs and capturing almost 300 wickets.

The 37-year-old hasn’t played for Australia since 2016 but still showed glimpses of his best as recently as last season while captaining the Thunder.

He scored a 62-ball century against Brisbane at the Gabba and is the club’s all-time leading scorer with 1014 runs.

‘‘Shane Watson was one of the most exciting short-form players ever to grace a cricket field,’’ Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said.

‘‘Talented, skilful and powerful, Shane was a devastating batsman at his best.

‘‘In a career which spanned almost two decades, Shane made a major contribution to Australian cricket firstly at international level and then in domestic cricket as a significant contributor to the Big Bash.

‘‘His greatest quality was persistence, overcoming a number of sometimes serious injuries and curtailing his pace. He became a probing swing and seam bowler.’’